Director of Athletics Whit Babcock opening statement:
"I mentioned the core values. I mentioned three things. I mentioned a commitment to excellence in all that we do - competitively, academically, and officially. I mentioned the focus on the student athlete and preparing a champion for life. The third thing was engaging the community at a meaningful level. What we found in Coach Jones; and obviously I knew him before; but it did not take me long to realize that he was the epitome of all three. I'm sitting up here with the BIG EAST Conference coach of the year; got the Bearcats from 4-8 to 10-3; offensive player of the year and defensive player of the year; Got us nationally ranked and academically as well with a team GPA of 2.71. The coach's goal is to get it to 3.0, I like that. We had 41 players attain a 3.0 and a smaller number of guys who got a perfect 4.0. I do know one of our 4.0 students was First-Team All-BIG EAST linebacker J.K. Schaffer. He's getting it done on the field and getting it done in the classroom. We're shaping up to have the best recruiting class that we ever had here, so it's coming through there. I couldn't be more proud to have Butch with an extended contract -- who fits the bill exactly of what we want here; I'm grateful for his loyalty and him staying around and wanting to be a part of the Bearcat family. I'd like to congratulate Butch and thank our Board of Trustees and our President for formally approving his contract extension today."

Head Football Coach Butch Jones opening statement:
"On behalf of our coaching staff and our football program I'd like to personally thank President Greg Williams, our Board of Trustees, and obviously Whit Babcock our director of athletics for showing a continued commitment not only to myself and our staff, but to our entire football family as we continue to grow and continue to elevate our football program to national prominence. When you look at this past years football team about being a champion I am very proud of what was accomplished not only on the field but off the field as well. We are the only program in the country that won a championship on the field as BIG EAST conference champions and Liberty Bowl champions; but in life more importantly with a championship off the field in the academic field of having the highest GPA for a football playing school and that's what it's all about - building future champions not only on the field, but in life as well."

Jones on keeping money aside for his staff:
"I've said from day one it's not about Butch Jones. It's about the University of Cincinnati; it's about the University of Cincinnati football program; and being able to keep intact what I feel is the best coaching staff in America. They showed loyalty last year coming off of a 4-8 season; having the number of individuals turn down other jobs from other institutions and choose to stay here. The more success you have the more people try and come for your coaches, so I think that's very, very important. I think the big thing about this is that this industry is ever-changing on a year-to-year basis. I think the big thing for us is continuing to elevate and grow our football program. Our coaches are very sought after and people around the country really respect what we have been able to do here in a very short period of time. That was one of our main objectives - to reward our staff, which I think is one of the best in the country."

Jones on recruiting:
"Everything is about recruiting. I have been recruiting all day and as soon as this is over with I am catching a flight to try and secure a very promising and exciting recruiting class. I think it's a great illustration to commitment that this University and this community has to its football program; and to be able to walk into a young man's house and say `I have a six-year contract' is very, very critical. I think it's great for our future Bearcats to know the stability and the consistency within our football program."

Babcock on this process:
"We believed in Butch early on and as soon as I got here we knew what was coming. We certainly believed in him whether he had other job offers or not. I think the proactive effort on our part; I'm grateful for President Williams for that; also grateful for Butch and his loyalty. He is a very good coach and when you have excellent coaches they are attractive to other people, but his commitment to be here and help us build this into something special; I am grateful for that."

Jones on the process:
"We say this in recruiting all the time; people make a place. Again, it meant a lot to be about how proactive our administration was in a very early stage in the season, so I am very grateful to them."

Jones on the decision to stay at Cincinnati:
"A lot goes into that decision, especially when you are a father to three young boys. Everything is about your family and first and foremost, Cincinnati is a very special place. We talk about the foundation of our football program as family, but so is the foundation of this city and the core values that it brings. When you are going through the process loyalty is always a two-way street and obviously the first year didn't go the way we wanted it to, but it's about building something special. Sometimes people will look at a structure and they don't understand the foundation. The foundation sometimes has a connotation with it, but I'm very proud of the foundation we have made and the foundation we will continue to lay within our football program."

Babcock closing statement:
"The one thing after being in three BCS conferences and four different schools is - I have never been anywhere where the team plays as hard. The way guys compete and hit people from the opening kick-off to the end of the game; and I hear that from opposing coaches. The level of intensity and giving the student athletes and players that level and run through a wall for you is a rare and impressive trait. It was just a no-brainer to me that Butch Jones will be and were honored to have him as our coach."